Waist-to-Height Ratio Calculator
Work out your waist-to-height ratio, a simple screening measure that flags increased health risk when waist exceeds half your height.
Your results
Calculation breakdown
- Ratio
- Waist-to-height ratio = waist circumference ÷ height
Worked example
A person with an 85 cm waist and a height of 175 cm has a waist-to-height ratio of 0.49, just under the commonly cited 0.5 threshold.
Assumptions
- Uses the commonly cited guideline of 0.5 as a general risk threshold.
- Both measurements must be in the same units (centimetres) to be valid.
How this calculator works
This calculator divides your waist circumference by your height to produce a waist-to-height ratio, a screening tool that many health bodies consider a useful early indicator of central obesity-related health risk. The commonly cited rule of thumb is that a ratio of 0.5 or above may indicate increased risk.
Frequently asked questions
What ratio is considered healthy?
A waist-to-height ratio below 0.5 is commonly used as a general guide for lower health risk in adults.
Why is this measure used alongside BMI?
It accounts for body proportions in a way that a raw waist measurement does not, and some studies suggest it correlates well with health risk.
Should I measure waist and height in the same units?
Yes, both should be entered in centimetres so the ratio is calculated correctly.
Results are estimates only and are not financial, tax, legal or credit advice.